Jazzin' About: Fun Pieces for Trumpet: Trumpet Book

Wedgwood understands the motivational power of modern sounds at the beginner level. Rather than padding method books with watered-down classics, she delivers genuine groove and contemporary energy, which means your students will actually be excited to practice. The syncopation sits naturally in the trumpet's range, and the stylistic variety keeps players engaged across multiple lessons.

Casual, confident, and genuinely fun. You hear the blues DNA running through the collection, but it's never stuffy. The writing breathes with attitude and humor, inviting players into the world of syncopation and swing without making them feel like they're studying it.

Beginning trumpet students (roughly first-year and early second-year) who want to explore beyond classical tradition and discover why jazz and contemporary styles matter. This collection also works for older beginners who need engaging material that respects their listening experience even if their embouchure is brand new.

• Find the groove first. These pieces rely on rhythmic precision, not speed. Lock in with a metronome before worrying about dynamics or phrasing.
• Shape the blues pieces with mild vibrato on longer notes. Even at this level, a little color goes a long way toward authentic phrasing.
• Let the riffs breathe. Wedgwood builds in space; resist the urge to rush through syncopated figures.
• Use the accompaniment tracks if available. They anchor the harmonic context and show students how their line fits within the larger sound.

Use individual pieces as recital or concert openers to grab attention and signal that your band values more than just the standard repertoire. These also work beautifully as solo and ensemble competition pieces, especially when paired with accompaniment. The stylistic range means you can program one piece early in the year to introduce rhythmic concepts, then revisit others as technique develops.

• Syncopated rhythm reading in simple meters
• Blues phrasing and swing articulation
• Riff-based melodic thinking
• Musical interpretation across contemporary styles
• Coordination between rhythmic precision and stylistic feel